Amy Herman on how art can hone one’s perception

Art historian Amy Herman discussed this idea and her book Visual Intelligence

By Smruti S 

Amy Herman is a lawyer and art historian who has designed a programme which uses works of art to sharpen observation, analysis, and communication skills. Her book Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life was on both the New York Times and Washington Post bestsellers’ lists. She had recently visited the city’s Museum of Art and Photography where she is an international board member. 

While in Bengaluru, Amy held sessions on a programme she developed called the Art of Perception based on ‘visual intelligence’. According to her, visual intelligence is the ability to see what other people do not by gaining clarity from multiple perspectives.

”I teach people to look at works of art to help sharpen their visual intelligence, to see what should be there and isn’t, and to understand the value of multiple perspectives. Art is the vehicle that we use to do that.”

Initially a law practitioner, Amy saw immense value in legal education and training, even though she found it uninspiring. She forged a new path which creatively fused legal and visual analysis. This resulted in developing the program, which was first designed in 2000. 

Amy’s training adapts art-based observation techniques to suit different professional groups — nurses, intelligence officers, military personnel and others. She tailors the selection of artworks to address the specific challenges faced by each group. Although the specific artworks vary, the core methodology focuses on enhancing communication skills.

While most participants are already skilled leaders, Amy uses art to offer fresh perspectives, guided by her principle of teaching people to “look differently to see better.” This approach helps people view situations from new angles and improve their communication. Amy’s expertise has seen her provide training to leaders at the White House, NATO Defence College, Scotland Yard, New York City Police Department, the FBI, Interpol, the French National Police and members of many Fortune 500 companies